Skye Camanachd are the early leaders in the Marine Harvest National Division after they beat Oban Celtic 3-1 at Ganavan on Saturday 18 March 2017.

The pitch passed an early morning inspection on the day of the game. However the rain over the previous 48 hours meant the Oban side’s ground staff had to put in a power of work to allow to the game to go ahead.

Oban Celtic manager Kenny Wotherspoon was without Rory Bruce and John Hill. George MacMillan stepped in in place of Bruce on the wing.

Skye Camanachd co-managers Willie Cowie and Peter Gordon were without injured duo Steven Morrison and Will Cowie. Danny Morrison and Ally “Spod” MacLeod returned after missing the previous week’s draw with Caberfeidh. Ruaraidh MacLeod and Daniel Morrison were included in the original squad but MacLeod was ruled out with a knee injury. Iain Nicolson and DJ Gilpin were late call ups.

Oban Celtic created a couple of early chances but Skye keeper Iain MacLeod saved well with his feet on both occasions.

Skye were forced to make early changes when they lost Iain Nicolson after just 2 minutes after he suffered a blow to the face and then Neil MacVicar on 10 minutes, as he had to leave the field with a thumb injury. Iain MacLellan came on for Nicolson and Ally “Spod” MacLeod replaced MacVicar.

MacLellan’s introduction proved to be particularly profitable for Skye and he got to a Jordan Murchison corner ahead of his marker on 26 minutes and, with a half swing, he sent a low shot into the net to make it 1-0.

The first half was tousy at times but it was Skye who doubled their lead of 41 minutes when a Jordan Murchison shot from 20 yards was saved by Celtic keeper Stephen Davidson and Iain MacLellan pushed the rebound into the bottom corner of the net on his back-hand.

Skye almost had a third before the break but a Jordan Murchison drive cannoned off the post.

The heavy rain had taken its toll on the pitch and the surface started to cut up in the second half.

Skye were the team taking their chances and Iain MacLellan completed his hat-trick on 75 minutes. A Calum Gibb corner came out to around the penalty spot and MacLellan’s half-volley sent the ball hard and low into the net to make it 3-0.

However Oban Celtic pulled a goal back a minute later when Neil Carmichael capitalised on a defensive slip to score.

There was still time for Iain MacLellan to hit the post.

Newly promoted Oban Celtic, for whom Ross MacMillan was again excellent, won’t be too disappointed on the back of the defeat. They have now played both the teams relegated from the Premiership at the end of last season and they’ll look to kick on at Bute in the Gregor Cameron Consultancy Glasgow Celtic Society Cup this Saturday.

The win takes Skye to the top of the table with five points from their first three games. They could have done without the injuries but will be heartened by how well the second team call-ups have done since given their chance in the senior side. Next up is a MacTavish Cup meeting with Caberfeidh at Castle Leod this coming Saturday. The sides drew 0-0 in a league encounter at the same venue a fortnight ago.